Nintendo 3DS Teardown

Nintendo 3DS: Teardown

The Nintendo 3DS doesn't have the fastest processor among mobile gaming devices. Nor does it have the highest resolution screen, most storage capacity, or longest battery life. But what it lacks in hardware muscle, it makes up for with an innovative glasses-free 3D gaming experience.

Nintendo 3DS: Top

The Nintendo 3DS has three camers--two outer-facing and one inner-facing. The outer-facing cameras allow you to take 3D photo and play augmented reality games. The two outer-facing cameras are located along the leading edge of the top cover. Next to the cameras is the camera LED, which lights up when the cameras are in use.

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Nintendo 3DS: Front

Along the front of the Nintendo 3DS are the stereo headphone jack, power LED, and battery recharge LED.

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Nintendo 3DS: Right side

Along the right side of the Nintendo 3DS are the Wireless LED, Wireless switch, and 3D Depth Slider.

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Nintendo 3DS: Back

Along the rear edge of the Nintendo 3DS are the R button, cradle connectors, AC power adapter connector, Game Card slot, stylus holder, Infrared transceiver, and L button.

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Nintendo 3DS: Left side

Along the left side of the Nintendo 3DS are the Volume control and SD card slot.

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Nintendo 3DS: 2GB SD Card

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Nintendo 3DS: Bottom

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Nintendo 3DS: Front with lid/upper LCD open

With the Nintendo 3DS' lid opened, we can see the two LCD screens, Circle Pad, + Control Pad, Control buttons, left and right speakers, Select button, Home button, Start button, power button, and inner-facing camera.

Nintendo 3DS: IR board

Nintendo 3DS: Removing the SD card slot screws

Next, I removed the screws holding the Nintendo 3DS' SD card slot to the case.

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Nintendo 3DS: Removing the SD card slot

After removed the SD card slot's screws and popping loose its connector, I used a thin metal blade to gently pry it loose from the EMI shield that it is glued to. I was able to do this without damaging either component.

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Nintendo 3DS: SD card slot removed

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Nintendo 3DS: SD card slot

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Nintendo 3DS: Removing the main PCB screws

Next, I turned my attention to removing the Nintendo 3DS' main PCB. Several screws hold it to the upper half of the case and had to be removed.

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You must also detach any remaining ribbon cables and connectors from the main PCB.

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Nintendo 3DS: Removing the main PCB

With the screws removed and ribbon cables detached, you can lift the main PCB away from the Nintendo 3DS.

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Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB ribbon cable

You'll also need to disconnect a ribbon cable from the underside of the main PCB.

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Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB removed

For now, I left the lower LCD screen attached to the main PCB. I'll disconnect it later.

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Nintendo 3DS: Upper LCD and top half of case

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Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB with lower LCD attached

With the main PCB removed from the case, I disconnected the Nintendo 3DS' lower LCD screen.

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Nintendo 3DS: Volume control slider

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Nintendo 3DS: Lower LCD - Front

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Nintendo 3DS: Lower LCD - Back

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Nintendo 3DS: Removing the volume control slider

The volume control slider is attached to the underside of the main PCB.

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Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB - Top

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Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB - Bottom

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Nintendo 3DS: Texas Instruments PAIC3010B

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Nintendo 3DS: Invensense ITG-3270 Gyroscope

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Nintendo 3DS: TI 93045A4

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Nintendo 3DS: CKP TI 0BW Z22P

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Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB markings

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Nintendo 3DS: Soldered EMI shields

Unfortunately, most of the interesting chips on the Nintendo 3DS' main PCB are covered by EMI shields, which are soldered to the PCB. As I want to put this machine back together in working order, I'm not going to remove the shields and risk damaging the PCB or chips.

For a look at the chips under these shields, I've included a photo from friends over at iFixit. They disassembled a Japaneese version of the 3DS a few weeks back and did remove the shields.

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Nintendo 3DS: Main PCB and chips revealed

Our friends over at iFixit obtained a Japanese version of the Nintendo 3DS a few weeks ago, and did a complete teardown. Here's one of the photos from their gallery that shows all the chips on the 3DS' main PCB.

As I noted earlier, most of the chips are covered by metal EMi shields that are soldered to the main PCB. As I wanted to reassemble our test unit in working order, I decided not to remove the shields.

Nintendo 3DS: Completely disassembled

Thanks to its standard (aleit small) Phillips screws, the Nintendo 3DS isn't too difficult to open. Unfortunatley once you're inside, things get a bit more complicated.

The 3DS contains many small ribbon cables and connectors. You could easily break one of them during the cracking open process. I actually knocked the lock off one of the tiny ribbon cable connectors, and then spent the next 20 minutes reattaching it. At least the battery is easy to change.

Related Topics:

Nintendo 3DS: Battery - Bottom

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About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...

Disclosure

Bill Detwiler has nothing to disclose. He doesn't hold investments in the technology companies he covers.

Full Bio

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.